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Re: Heritage of Drum & Fife
John Pastore (venture@CANCUN.RCE.COM.MX)
Sat, 25 May 1996 05:40:58 +0000
On 25 May 96 at 17:42, Ronald Kephart wrote:
> I knew I'd get a response on this, but I didn't think it would come
> this fast. Isn't anybody out fishing, or something? Anyway, in
> message <9605252103.AA18292@cancun.rce.com.mx> John Pastore writes:
>
> > How about those who "rant against affirmative action programs",
> > not because their ancestors came circa: Mayflower, but more like
> > circa: Banana Boat --ancestors who weren't slaveholders, but, in
> > fact, slaves themselves with the unfortunate condition of also
> > being white, or, at least, slightly olive? Why should they be
> > paying for the mom and pop's of your mom and pop's moms and pops?
> >
> > Why should anyone, for that matter --unless visiting the sins of
> > the father (and for equality's sake: mother) upon the son (and/or
> > daughter) is really a bad idea. Isn't 20 years of it now enough?
>
> No, I don't think 20 years is enough, especially when you look
> around and see what's still going on. What exactly would make up
> for over 300 years of slavery, oppression, discrimination? I don't
> know, and in any case since I'm not African-American I probably
> don't have the right to speculate.
>
> My point is not that anyone should "pay" for what our ancestors did.
> The point is that we have to recognize that part of what and how we
> are is a result of what they did, and if there are benefits
> resulting from what they did, we should be willing to share those
> benefits with the descendants of those who were the unwilling
> participants.
Good. Just when are those who benefited going to be just the one's to
foot the bill? It's like someone's grandparents walked out on a bar
bill, and then the grandson (after inviting the floor-sweepers to a
fest) insists (after drinking most the beer), that everyone else has
to share, not only the present bill, but also, the bill that had been
left outstanding. No?
Have a nice weekend too...
Ka Xiik Keech Ya Utzil,
John Pastore
Writer/Guide in 'El Mayab'
("The Mayan Homeland")
venture@cancun.rce.com.mx
"A teepee is a pyramid, isn't it?"
Ka Xiik Keech Ya Utzil,
John Pastore
Writer/Guide in 'El Mayab'
("The Mayan Homeland")
venture@cancun.rce.com.mx
"A teepee is a pyramid, isn't it?"
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